Las Vegas —NCA right this moment introduced Billie-Ann Plastics Packaging Corp. because the winner of the 2026 Ruby Award for Provider Innovation for its RPET Clear Cylinder with Non-obligatory Snap In/Snap On High and Printing. The award shall be offered throughout the Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony on Monday, Could 18 in Las Vegas.
“The confectionery business continues to evolve by means of investments in individuals, innovation, and new applied sciences that strengthen manufacturing and help long-term development,” says John Downs, NCA president and CEO. “The Ruby Award acknowledges provider companions which can be delivering inventive options to assist confectionery corporations function extra effectively, innovate responsibly, and meet altering client expectations.”
Established in 2018 to have a good time breakthrough improvements from the provider group that advance the confectionery business, the Ruby Award for Provider Innovation acknowledges an NCA provider member firm that has developed an innovation prior to now yr that improves the power of confectioners to fabricate, distribute, market, and/or promote chocolate and sweet.
The profitable innovation from Billie-Ann Plastics is a recyclable confectionery packaging resolution made with a minimal of 25 p.c post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET content material, providing confectionery corporations a sustainable various to conventional virgin plastic cylinders with out sacrificing premium shelf enchantment or product visibility.
Billie-Ann Plastics developed the packaging resolution in response to rising demand for extra sustainable and reusable packaging choices that would seamlessly combine into present manufacturing operations. The cylinders require no tooling modifications, new gear or filling-line modifications, making adoption accessible for confectionery companies of all sizes.
NCA additionally acknowledged Cargill as a finalist for NextCoa, a portfolio of cocoa-free confectionery options developed in partnership with Voyage Meals. Made with upcycled grape seeds, NextCoa is designed to ship a chocolate-like sensory expertise whereas serving to producers handle cocoa provide challenges, price volatility and sustainability objectives.
